{"product_id":"r22-dual-spring-plate-irs-torsion-bar-plate-caps-oem-german-refurbished","title":"Washburn's Metal IRS Torsion Bar Spring Plate Caps | VW Beetle \u0026 Ghia IRS | Refurbished German, Pair (#R22)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eIRS Torsion Bar Spring Plate Caps (#R22) | Refurbished Original German, Powder Coated (Pair)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRefurbished original German IRS torsion bar spring plate caps\u003c\/b\u003e — the steel caps that close out the rear torsion bar housing on \u003cb\u003eIndependent Rear Suspension (IRS)\u003c\/b\u003e VW Beetles and Karmann Ghias. Sold as a \u003cb\u003epair\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cb\u003eInspected, stripped, and powder coated semi-gloss black\u003c\/b\u003e for corrosion resistance. Original German factory parts. Part \u003cb\u003e#R22\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a VW IRS rear suspension, the torsion bars run laterally through the chassis inside steel housings. At each outboard end, a steel cap retains the torsion bar splines and forms a sealed boundary against moisture and debris — it has to seal cleanly, locate the torsion bar correctly, and stay rust-free for decades. After 50+ years, factory IRS caps are typically rusted, pitted, or damaged from past suspension work, making replacement the right call during any IRS rear suspension rebuild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle (Standard, IRS rear):\u003c\/b\u003e 1968–1979 (the IRS transition started for 1969, with some 1968 cars equipped)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Super Beetle:\u003c\/b\u003e 1971–1979\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia (IRS rear):\u003c\/b\u003e 1969–1974\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill NOT fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Swing axle rear suspension. Swing axle uses different torsion bar housing geometry — these IRS-specific caps don't fit. For swing axle applications, look at our swing axle spring plate caps (sold separately by year range).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose Washburn's Metal?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWashburn's Metal starts with genuine German factory caps and refinishes them properly — stripped, inspected, and powder coated — because reproduction caps vary in quality and fit, while dimensional accuracy and material thickness are what let the caps seal cleanly and protect the torsion bar splines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOriginal German OEM:\u003c\/b\u003e Refurbished genuine factory caps, not reproductions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSealed Boundary:\u003c\/b\u003e Retains the torsion bar splines and seals against moisture and debris.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHigh-Temp Finish:\u003c\/b\u003e Semi-gloss black powder coat with high temperature resistance for the hot rear suspension area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as a Pair:\u003c\/b\u003e Both outboard caps included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e Refurbished original German OEM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePrep:\u003c\/b\u003e Stripped, inspected, powder coated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinish:\u003c\/b\u003e Semi-gloss black powder coat with high temperature resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as:\u003c\/b\u003e Pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApplication:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS rear torsion bar housing outboard caps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e #R22\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow do I know if my Beetle is IRS or swing axle?\u003c\/b\u003e Look at the rear wheels with the car on level ground. IRS cars keep the rear wheels mostly vertical (or slightly negative camber on lowered cars). Swing axle cars show visible inward camber that changes dramatically when you jack the car up. The transition was the 1969 model year for Beetle and Karmann Ghia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work on my Super Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. All Super Beetles (1971–1979) used IRS rear suspension. The torsion housing geometry is the same as Standard Beetle IRS, so the caps fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo they include the inner seals or bushings?\u003c\/b\u003e No, this is the steel caps only. Inner bushings, seals, and torsion bar splines are separate parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat's the heat resistance of the powder coat for?\u003c\/b\u003e The rear suspension area sees significant heat from the brakes, exhaust, and engine. Standard powder coat can discolor or fail under heat exposure. High-temp powder coat holds its finish over the life of the car.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCan I install these myself?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes, if you're already doing IRS rear suspension work. Installing the caps in isolation requires accessing the torsion housing, which is most efficient during a broader rear suspension service.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy German originals over reproductions?\u003c\/b\u003e Dimensional accuracy and material thickness. Reproduction caps often don't seal cleanly, allowing moisture and dirt into the torsion bar splines — which then accelerate wear of the splines themselves. The cost of original German caps is cheap insurance against a much more expensive torsion bar problem later.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRebuilding the rear end? Browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-vw-aircooled\"\u003eAll VW Air-Cooled\u003c\/a\u003e, and everything for the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42736279748723,"sku":"R22","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/20241010_172041A.jpg?v=1736274862","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/r22-dual-spring-plate-irs-torsion-bar-plate-caps-oem-german-refurbished","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}